Hair curling device

ABSTRACT

A hair roller for curling the hair of a user, the hair roller including a body member having an outer surface for imparting a curl to the hair extending about a central axis. The hair roller also includes a first securing member moveable towards the outer surface of the body member for securing hair spooled about the body member. The first securing member is rotatable relative to the body member about its central axis so as to allow spooling of hair upon rotation of the body member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to hair rollers, and more particularly to securing hair rollers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hair curling devices are used for curling lengths or tresses of hair. A typical hair curling device uses a cylindrical roller body which has a curling surface. The lengths or tresses of hair to be curled are tightly wrapped around the curling surface. The application of heat to the curling surface which conducts the heat to the wrapped tresses held under tension causes the tresses to assume the curvature of the curling surface on release from the roller body.

In one type of hair curling device, the roller body may be heated prior to the hair tresses being wrapped around the roller body. In another type of hair curling device, the roller body may be heated after the tresses are wrapped around the roller body. In this case, heat may be supplied by insertion of a heated rod into an axial aperture formed in the roller body. Upon wrapping of hair to the curling devices, the device is typically secured by insertion of pin therethrough to prevent uncoiling.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hair roller that overcomes or at least substantially ameliorates at least some of the deficiencies of those of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a hair roller for curling the hair of a user, the hair roller comprising:

-   -   a body member having an outer surface for imparting a curl to         the hair extending about a central axis; and     -   a first securing member moveable towards the outer surface of         the body member for securing hair spooled about the body member;         -   wherein said first securing member is rotatable relative to             the body member about its central axis so as to allow             spooling of hair upon rotation of the body member.

Advantageously, the said first securing member is moveable in a radially inward direction relative to the body member.

Preferably, the outer surface extends longitudinally between opposed first and second end portions. Advantageously, said first securing member extends in a direction of from the first end portion in a direction of towards the second end portion.

Optionally, the first securing member extends from the first end portion to the second end portion.

Preferably the first securing member is engageable with the second end portion. Advantageously the distal end of first securing member includes an end region engageable with the second end portion of the body.

Optionally, the distal end region of the first securing member is resiliently flexible for engagement with the second end portion of the body.

Preferably the distal end region of the first securing member is engageable with a circumferentially extending rib formed on the second end portion. Advantageously, the first securing member extends from an annulus rotatable about the first end portion.

Optionally, the first securing member is hingedly attached to the body so as to be moveable towards the outer surface of the body member for securing hair spooled about the body member. Advantageously, the first securing member is hingedly attached to the annulus so as to be moveable towards the outer surface of the body member for securing hair spooled about the body member.

Preferably the body member is formed from a thermally conductive material.

Advantageously, the outer surface of the roller body is transversely curved.

Preferably the roller includes a second securing member extending from the second end portion in a direction of towards the first end portion for securing hair spooled about the body member. Advantageously, the second securing member is fixedly engaged with the body such that rotation of the body causes same rotation of second securing member. Optionally, the second securing member includes a biasing means for resiliently biasing the second securing member against the body.

Preferably, the biasing means is a spring type device.

In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a hair roller for curling the hair of a user, the hair roller comprising:

-   -   a body member having an outer surface for imparting a curl to         the hair extending about a central axis; and     -   a first securing member moveable towards the outer surface of         the body member for securing hair spooled about the body member;         -   wherein said first securing member is moveable radially             inwardly so as to urge spooled hair against the outer             surface of the body member such that the spooled hair is             maintained in a spooled arrangement; and         -   said first securing member is rotatable relative to the body             member about its central axis so as to allow the user to             maintain the first securing member in a position so as not             to impinge upon a tress of hair being spooled about the body             member whilst allowing independent rotation of the body             member so as to effect spooling.

In still another aspect of the present invention there is provided a hair roller for curling the hair of a user, the hair roller comprising:

-   -   a body member having an outer surface for imparting a curl to         the hair extending about a central axis;     -   a first securing member moveable towards the outer surface of         the body member for securing hair spooled about the body member;         and     -   a second securing member moveable towards the outer surface of         the body member for initially securing hair to the outer surface         of the body member prior to spooling;         -   wherein said first securing member is moveable radially             inwardly so as to urge spooled hair against the outer             surface of the body member such that the spooled hair is             maintained in a spooled arrangement; and         -   said first securing member is rotatable relative to the body             member about its central axis so as to allow the user to             maintain the first securing member in a position so as not             to impinge upon a tress of hair being spooled about the body             member whilst allowing independent rotation of the body             member so as to effect spooling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained in further detail below by way of examples and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the hair roller according to the present invention.

FIG. 1B shows a side view of the hair roller of FIG. 1A,

FIG. 1C shows a cross sectional view of the hair roller of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 1D shows an exploded perspective view of the hair roller of FIG. 1A-1C.

FIG. 2A depicts a schematic view of the hair roller of FIG. 1A in an initial position for spooling the hair of a user.

FIG. 2B depicts an enlarged schematic view of the hair roller shown in FIG. 2A

FIG. 2C depicts an enlarged schematic view of the hair roller of FIGS. 1A-1D showing the engagement of the securing member.

FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the hair roller of the present invention.

FIG. 3B shows a side view of the hair roller of FIG. 3A,

FIG. 3C shows a cross sectional view of the hair roller of FIGS. 3A and 3B.

FIG. 3D shows an exploded perspective view of the hair roller of FIGS. 3A.-3C

FIG. 4A depicts a schematic view of the hair roller of FIGS. 3A-3D in an initial position for spooling the hair of a user.

FIG. 4B depicts an enlarged schematic view of the hair roller shown in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C depicts an enlarged schematic view of the hair roller of FIG. 4A showing the engagement of the securing member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIGS. 1A to 4C the embodiments of the hair roller 100 according to the present invention comprise a body member 110 and a first securing member 120. The embodiment of the hair roller 100 shown in FIGS. 3A to 4C further includes a second securing member 160.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-1D the body member 110 of the hair roller 100 has a first end portion 112 and a second end portion 114 fixed to a curling cylinder 130 and a shaft 140 respectively.

The first end portion 112 shown includes an end cap 118. The end cap 118 includes recesses 119 which are sized and located so as to receive tabs 142 located on the end of the shaft 140. The end cap 118 also has a circumferential rib 120 and locking tab 122. The second end portion 114 may include an end cap 124. The end cap 124 may be integrally formed with the shaft 140 or alternatively, may be formed and attached in the same way as the first end portion. The end caps 124,118 may be manufactured from plastic or other non heat conductive materials.

The curling cylinder 130 has an outer surface 131 about which the hair of a user is spooled. In the embodiment shown the curling cylinder 130 includes three radial ribs 132 which extend longitudinally so as to support the outer surface 131. The ribs 132 of the curling cylinder are configured so as to abut the ribs 144 of the shaft 140 upon assembly of the body member. In the embodiment shown the ribs are oriented at 120 degrees to each other. The above configuration of the curling cylinder and shaft fixes the curling cylinder to the shaft 140 and prevents rotation of the curling cylinder 130 relative to the shaft 140. Of course the shaft may be fixed to the curling cylinder in other ways so that the shaft, curling cylinder and end portions rotate together in a unitary manner as the body member 110. Other or alternate manners which to provide the rotation will be understood by those skilled in the art to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Advantageously, the outer surface 131 of the curling cylinder 130 is formed of a thermally conductive material. This may be a metal such as steel, copper aluminium or other alloys. Alternatively, the conductive surface may be formed from other heat conductive materials suitable for imparting required heat tot he hair of a user. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that further outer layers suitable for formation of hair curls may be provided, such as foam like materials.

The securing member 160 shown is formed by an annulus 162 which is rotatable about the axis 105 of the body member 110. The annulus 162 includes a locating rim 164 which is held in sliding rotational engagement with the body member 110. The locating rim 164 is held captive between the circumferential rib 120 and the locking tab 122 of the end cap 118. This arrangement allows the first securing member to rotate about the body member whilst not being displaced along the longitudinal axis of the body during rotation.

The annulus 162 includes a pair of opposed flanges 166 to which a first end of the arm 168 of the first securing member 160 is attached. All or part of the first securing member 160 may be formed of a material such as plastic or metal. The first securing member may be resiliently flexible so as to allow ease of assembly or manufacture of the device.

The first end 167 of the arm 168 is hingedly attached to the annulus 162. A pivot pin 170 extends between the flanges 166 and through a hole formed in the first end 167 of the arm 168. The arm 168 extends from the pivot pin towards a second end 169, terminating in a distal end region 172.

The distal end region 172 of the arm 168 is engageable with a lip 174 formed on the second end portion 114 upon movement of the securing member 160 in a radial inward direction and hinged motion in the present embodiment, relative to the body member. The distal end region 172 is shaped in the form of a hook-like portion to facilitate engagement. A tab 176 formed on the end region 172 assists location of the securing member on the lip 174 by a user.

Alternatively the arm 168 may extend in the direction of the second end portion and stop short of abutting the lip 174, although not shown. The arm may terminate in a blunt end, also not shown in the present figures.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present embodiment provides a preferred manner in which to provide the first securing member with rotation freedom about the axis of the hair roller. Other or alternate manners which allow such rotation about the axis independent of rotation of the roller will be understood to be equally applicable and not depart from the scope of the invention as claimed.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2C, an exemplary embodiment of the hair roller 100 of the present invention is shown in use. In FIGS. 2A and 2B, the first securing member is shown displaced away from the body member 110. This allows the user to rotate the body member 110 to wrap around tresses of hair, by rotating the body member 110 in the direction depicted by arrow A. The user may apply the rotation to the body member 110 at the end portions or by turning the surface 131.

As the hair roller 100 is rotated the tresses of hair are wrapped about the outer surface 131. In the arrangement shown the annulus 162 is freely rotatable about the body member 110 during the spooling of hair onto the body member. This allows the first securing member to remain in the same position relative to the head of the user during the spooling operation or thereabouts, so as not to impinge on or prevent coiling of the hair of the user.

Advantageously, the orientation chosen by the user may be similar to that depicted, that is so that the first securing member does not impinge on the head the user during the spooling operation. It would be appreciated that because the first securing member in the embodiment shown is hingedly attached to the annulus that the first securing member can be opened up to 180 degrees, which may be advantageous during spooling of the hair and during release of the device from user's hair.

As shown in FIG. 2C, upon the desired length of tresses being spooled about the body member, the first securing member 160 is moved toward the outer surface of the body member by applying a force in the direction indicated by arrow B. In the embodiment shown, the distal end region includes a hook like portion locatable on the lip 174 so as to secure the first securing member to the lip. As the distal end of the securing member approaches the body member, the hair spooled about the body member is clamped against the outer surface 131, and the roller 100 is fixed to the hair of a user.

Heat may be applied to the roller subsequently, for example by inserting one or more heating rods in the axial aperture formed in the hair roller. Alternatively, the rollers may be heated prior to the hair being spooled onto the rollers. The securing member may then be disengaged from the lip and moved in a direction away from the outer surface of the body to remove the roller from the hair after a curl has been formed. In other or alternate embodiments, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, an integrally provide heating element or member may be formed with the roller, without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.

Referring to FIGS. 3 a-3 d, there is shown a second embodiment of the present invention, the construction of the hair roller 200 is similar to that as described with reference to the first embodiment, although in the present embodiment the hair roller 200 further includes a second securing member 280. The second securing member 280 assists in initially securing the hair to the roller 200 prior to spooling of the tresses of hair about the body member 210. The second securing member 280 extends from the second end portion 214 in the direction of the first end portion 212. The securing member includes an arm 282 which is hingedly attached to a tab 284 extending from the second end cap 286. In the embodiment depicted the second securing member is biased in a closed position against the curved surface 231 of the body member 210 using a compression spring 288 which is fixed about a pivot 290.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other arrangements of the second securing member may be possible, including manufacturing the second securing member 280 from a resiliently flexible material. Alternatively, the second securing member 280 may not necessarily be biased toward the curved surface 131 at all. In the arrangement shown the second securing member does not extend the full length of the curved surface 231, although in alternate embodiments it may do so.

As shown in FIG. 4A, in use, the user opens the second securing member 282 against the bias provided by the spring so as to capture and secure the initial tresses of the hair of the user under second securing member against the curved curling surface 231. Once the initial tresses are captured as shown in FIG. 4B, the hair roller is rotated in the direction shown by the arrow C so as to spool the hair about the body member 210.

Referring to FIG. 4C it can be seen that the rotation of the body member 210 spools the hair over the top of the second securing member 280, which is fixed relative to the body member 210. The first securing member 260 remains in the same orientation during the spooling, as the annulus 262 on which is hingedly attached is rotatable relative to the body member 210. It will be appreciated that the inclusion of the second securing member 280 assists the user to initiate spooling of the tresses of hair about the body member 210.

Similarly as depicted in FIG. 2C showing use of a first embodiment of the hair roller of the present invention, FIG. 4C in reference to the second embodiment shows that once the desired length of tresses are spooled about the body member 210, the first securing member 260 is moved toward the outer surface 231 of the body member 210 by applying a force in the direction indicated by the arrow D. As the distal end of the securing member approaches the body member 210, the hair spooled about the body member is clamped against the outer surface 231, and the roller 200 is fixed to the hair of the user.

The present invention provides advantages over those of the prior art and overcomes shortcomings and deficiencies as exhibited those of the prior art including ease of self application through ease of operation due to the integrally formed securing member or members, obviating necessity of provision of separate hair pins, efficiency of rolling of hair and maintaining desired degree of tress length during securement of the roller to the user, simplification of formation and manufacture and necessity of independent components obviated by the provision of an integrally formed device.

While the present invention has been explained by reference to the examples or preferred embodiments described above, it will be appreciated that the examples and embodiments are provided to assist understanding of the present invention and are not restrictive. Variations or modifications which are obvious or trivial to persons skilled in the art, as well as improvements made thereon, should be considered as equivalents of this invention. 

1. A hair roller for curling the hair of a user, the hair roller comprising: a body member having an outer surface for imparting a curl to the hair extending about a central axis; and a first securing member moveable towards the outer surface of the body member for securing hair spooled about the body member; wherein said first securing member is rotatable relative to the body member about its central axis so as to allow spooling of hair upon rotation of the body member.
 2. A hair roller according to claim 1 wherein the said first securing member is moveable in a radially inward direction relative to the body member.
 3. A hair roller according to claim 1 wherein the outer surface extends longitudinally between opposed first and second end portions.
 4. A hair roller according to claim 3 wherein said first securing member extends in a direction from the first end portion towards the second end portion.
 5. A hair roller according to claim 3 wherein the first securing member extends from the first end portion to the second end portion.
 6. A hair roller according to claim 5 wherein the first securing member is engageable with the second end portion.
 7. A hair roller according to claim 6 wherein the distal end of first securing member includes an end region engageable with the second end portion of the body.
 8. A hair roller according to claim 6 wherein the distal end region of the first securing member is resiliently flexible for engagement with the second end portion of the body.
 9. A hair roller according to claim 6 wherein the distal end region of the first securing member is engageable with a circumferentially extending rib formed on the second end portion.
 10. A hair roller according to claim 6 wherein the first securing member extends from an annulus rotatable about the first end portion.
 11. A hair roller according to claim 1 wherein the first securing member is hingedly attached to the body so as to be moveable towards the outer surface of the body member for securing hair spooled about the body member.
 12. A hair roller to claim 10 wherein the first securing member is hingedly attached to the annulus so as to be moveable towards the outer surface of the body member for securing hair spooled about the body member.
 13. A hair roller according to claim 1 wherein the body member is formed from a thermally conductive material.
 14. A hair roller according to claim 1 wherein the outer surface of the body member is transversely curved.
 15. A hair roller according to claim 4 further including a second securing member extending from the second end portion in a direction of towards the first end portion for securing hair spooled about the body member.
 16. A hair roller according to claim 15 wherein the second securing member is fixedly engaged with the body such that rotation of the body causes same rotation of the second securing member.
 17. A hair roller according to claim 15 wherein the second securing member includes a biasing means for resiliently biasing the second securing member against the body.
 18. A hair roller according to claim 17 wherein the biasing means is a spring device.
 19. A hair roller for curling the hair of a user, the hair roller comprising: a body member having an outer surface for imparting a curl to the hair extending about a central axis; and a first securing member moveable towards the outer surface of the body member for securing hair spooled about the body member; wherein said first securing member is moveable radially inwardly so as to urge spooled hair against the outer surface of the body member such that the spooled hair is maintained in a spooled arrangement; and said first securing member is rotatable relative to the body member about its central axis so as to allow the user to maintain the first securing member in a position so as not to impinge upon a tress of hair being spooled about the body member whilst allowing independent rotation of the body member so as to effect spooling.
 20. A hair roller for curling the hair of a user, the hair roller comprising: a body member having an outer surface for imparting a curl to the hair extending about a central axis; a first securing member moveable towards the outer surface of the body member for securing hair spooled about the body member; and a second securing member moveable towards the outer surface of the body member for initially securing hair to the outer surface of the body member prior to spooling; wherein said first securing member is moveable radially inwardly so as to urge spooled hair against the outer surface of the body member such that the spooled hair is maintained in a spooled arrangement; and said first securing member is rotatable relative to the body member about its central axis so as to allow the user to maintain the first securing member in a position so as not to impinge upon a tress of hair being spooled about the body member whilst allowing independent rotation of the body member so as to effect spooling. 